June 8, 2011 - First Phase of Riverfront Development Plan Meeting

Fort Myers, Fl (June 8, 2011) - The City of Fort Myers will hold a public workshop on the Riverfront Development Plan on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the Harborside Event Center in the downtown Fort Myers River District.

The riverfront design team, along with City staff, will present the plans for the first phase of the riverfront development, which includes a storm water detention basin and surrounding public walkways and open space. The workshop will consist of a presentation of the plans followed by a question and answer session. In 2009, the City engaged Acquest Realty Advisors and their team of experts to prepare a plan for developing the riverfront area between U.S. 41 to Fowler Street, and from the river to Bay Street. Also comprising the riverfront planning team are Parker Mudgett Smith Architects, Populous Architects, Johnson Engineering, JJR Landscape Architects, Boorn Partners Retail Consultants. So far, the planning process involved two public planning charrettes, three public hearings and numerous public presentations. The Riverfront Development Plan was adopted by City Council in April 2010. Since its adoption, the City and the planning and design team have been working on the plans, permits and funding for the first phase of the Plan. The project has been awarded nearly $900,000 in state grants to date.

The workshop is open to anyone who desires to attend. It will be held in Harborside Event Center at 1375 Monroe Street. Free parking is available in the Harborside Event Center parking lot. “The downtown riverfront has the potential to become one of the most exciting retail, dining, recreational and cultural arts venues in all of Southwest Florida and the City has selected an outstanding team to partner with for its development,” stated Community Redevelopment Agency Commissioner and Ward 4 City Councilman Mike Flanders.

The development team stresses that the riverfront must become a unique shopping and dining experience, with local and regional merchants who offer the quality merchandize and personal service that can only be provided by a shop owner.

The River District is the historic commercial district and emerging residential community along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers. Its geographic boundaries are East First Street (at Seaboard Avenue), the Caloosahatchee River, the Edison Ford Winter Estates and the McGregor Boulevard/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor (ending at Evans Avenue).